Savant To Add Audio, Video Distribution Options

Hyannis, Mass. — Savant will go to this week’s CEDIA Expo with new products for distributing audio and video throughout the house.

The products consist of one new audio matrix switcher, three video matrix switchers with HDBaseT technology, and two HDBaseT receivers. All ship in October.

The HDBaseT products incorporate 5Play, a feature set that sends uncompressed FullHD digital video, digital multichannel audio, 100BaseT Ethernet, power over cable and various control signals through a single LAN cable CAT-5e/6 LAN cable up to 100 meters, or 328 feet, the HDBaseT Alliance said. Savant’s 5Play products are compatible with other products certified by the HDBaseT Alliance as 5Play.

In matrix video switchers, the company will introduce an 8 by 8, 8 by 6, and 8 by 4 switchers. All have HDMI inputs and ability to split off audio to a Savant audio switcher for whole-house audio distribution. The devices can be controlled from Apple iOS devices equipped with Savant's TrueControl app.

The video switchers can be integrated with other-brand whole-house control systems, the company said.

The two HDBase T receivers accept audio, video, Ethernet, control and power signals from the switchers via CAT-5e/6 cable. They come in two form factors: an in-wall model and a stand-alone module, which fits between a flat-panel display and the wall behind it.

The new SmartAudio SSA-3220 32 by 20 audio matrix switcher features 16 analog and 16 digital inputs, 16 analog outputs and four digital S/PDIF outputs to pass analog line-level audio for external amplification. Analog and digital audio conversion is standard, and analog and digital audio is available simultaneously on each output, the company said.

The SSA-3220 also features volume and balance control and a seven-band equalizer per zone of analog and digital audio.